Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who won re-election last Tuesday, told The Columbus Dispatch he is considering running for president in 2020. Brown cited a “sort of crescendo” of interest in him running, also adding, “We’re not close to saying yes.”

Brown’s win over former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci made him the only Democrat in Ohio to win a statewide race.

Whether Brown runs in 2020 or not, he thinks Democrats considering a presidential run should use his race as an example of how a Democrat can win in industrial Midwestern states like Ohio, which Donald Trump carried in 2016.

Brown’s wife, Connie Schultz, shared the Dispatch story on social media, posting on her Facebook page, “We are considering this because so many are urging us to. Your thoughts are welcome.”

Schultz is a professional-in-residence at Kent State’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Should Brown run in 2020 and succeed, Governor-elect Mike DeWine would appoint a replacement to fill out the remainder of Brown’s term until the next statewide election or until a special election is scheduled.

In the meantime, Brown said he’s focused on American workers and “reaching out to people in the industrial Midwest.”

 David Williams is a general assignment reporter. Contact him at [email protected].